A New York woman was killed in a hit-and-run after being struck by a drunk driver who she didn’t want to ride with, police say.
Madison Faltisco, 22, was walking alongside a road in a Syracuse suburb when Joshua Schiano, 23, struck her, according to Onondaga County Sheriff’s spokesperson Thomas Newton.
After news surfaced of the victim’s death, it was found that she and the suspect worked together at a bar called Smokey Bones. Witnesses told police that in the moments leading to her death, she refused to ride with Schiano because he was drunk.
Shortly before 11 PM, Schiano struck Faltisco with his vehicle. He fled the scene, then was involved in another crash less than a mile down the street where he struck the victim.
Authorities found Faltisco’s body the next morning. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, Schiano’s bail has been set at $500,000. He is currently detained at the Onondaga County Justice Center.
“Authorities were still waiting on toxicology reports to determine Schiano’s blood alcohol level that night,” according to a FOX report via Syracuse.com. “The local news outlet added that the crash, and whether the fatal hit-and-run was an accident, was still being investigated.”
One of Faltisco’s loved ones has created a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses. “My beloved niece, Madison Faltisco, was struck and killed by a drunk driver on Thursday, June 8, 2023 She was only 22. Her bright light was extinguished in seconds,” the page reads. “Her family is living a nightmare, preparing to bury their beautiful daughter and sister. This was obviously an unexpected expense, and it’s pretty overwhelming. We want to offer everyone the opportunity to bless this family. They are not expecting it, but it would help lift an enormous burden at this awful time. Thank you for keeping them all in your prayers.”
Faltisco graduated from the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central in 2018.
To make a donation to Faltisco’s family, please visit here.
